I have wanted to write a post about her, and all the wonderful changes that have happened to our family since the last time I posted, but I would be lying if I said it was just the family and housework that kept me from writing. To be perfectly honest, I wanted to write about Norah, but was finding it very hard to find any positive things to write about the whole experience.
When we first moved back to Penetanguishene from Toronto, Chris started talking about getting a second dog. Not right away, but he wanted one before our current dog, Lexxy, got too old: he wanted her to teach and train the new pup with all the positive behaviours she has, such as her playful yet gentle nature with the children, her abilities as a guard dog, as well as her wonderful sense not to close her mouth if your hand or any body part is near it.
When we started to look for a house of our own, I promised Chris we could get a new dog then, as she would be 9 years old, and we would actually have the room for two of them. Well that date came and went, and when we found out that I would be on maternity leave, we thought that would be a great time to start looking, as that would mean someone would be home with the puppy 24/7. We had a couple leads, both which fell through, and throughout the disappointments we kept telling ourselves that we were waiting for the right one. Finally, through Kijiji, I saw a post about a litter of puppies that were Shepherd crosses. The information looked promising, and after contacting the owner, decided that we had found "the right one." She was born and raised in a family with similar views about dogs as our own, and it sounded like their human "mother" was as enamoured and crazy about her dogs as Chris himself; it would be a good match.
Yet once we made the decision, and had confirmed plans to go pick her up, I started dreading the whole situation. Marcus by that point was only just under two months old himself, and I knew that having now a newborn, toddler, and a young puppy was going to be a LOT of work.
Needless to say, it was, and still is, a lot of work. Trying to potty train a 3 year old, as well as house train a puppy all at once is probably not the smartest of ideas.
Yet I have learned more already from this new puppy than I could have ever imagined.
It is only too easy to see the difficulty in life; to only dwell on what is hard work, and inconvenient. It is easy to complain. And for my part, I do not think I was even willing to give her a chance. I wanted my life to be simpler again, and back to how it was. I was not ready for change. I started looking at everything that I felt went wrong in my day, and placed the blame and anger onto her little shoulders. It was not fair to her, it was not fair to me, it was not fair to my family.
In not being able to see past my own frustrations, and my feelings of being overwhelmed, I failed to see the joy she had brought to our family.
Lucien has a new companion. She has taught his little hands, often over-excited and careless, that they have to be gentle and caring. Our home is now constantly bright with the sound of his squeals and laughter as he devises new games to play with his dog. Even the mischief they get into has been rewarding, as I can almost see the neurons forming as he plans new and more devious ways to get around locks and closed doors, all the while Norah patiently standing behind him; awaiting the spoils of their working together.
Even our old girl Lexxy, now in her tenth year, acts more like a puppy than I have ever seen before. The two play almost all day, running up the stairs, then down, or out in the yard, chasing, wrestling... Lexxy is also learning proper dog etiquette - she no longer barks non-stop when playing, but instead only lets out the odd one to emphasise a point.
Chris is of course loving having two dogs around. I know this has been a dream of his for a long time, and he is beyond happy to have that dream finally realized. Even I, against what I thought possible, have developed a soft spot for her. At the end of the day, when I finally have the chance to sit, exhausted, she is never far - often her favourite spot is right at my feet, her soft fur gently pushed up against my skin.The warmth and love that our pets bring to our home is something that should never be overlooked. For a dogs love is truly unconditional; what other being is so excited, no matter what the day, no matter what has happened, to simply see you walk in the door, no words or actions needed. When the day has been long, or fraught with sadness, a simple head in the lap, or a few friendly kisses, are all that is needed to lift the spirits, and tell you that you are home.
I for one, must never forget that. No matter how troubling the days are, no matter how tired your back is, or your hands are worn. No matter how alone you feel, or isolated in your thoughts; there is someone who loves you, and his happy to be with you, for the simple fact of being with you, no strings attached.
Welcome Norah, and may we have many happy and fun-filled years together as a family.
"Lucien has a new companion. She has taught his little hands, often over-excited and careless, that they have to be gentle and caring. Our home is now constantly bright with the sound of his squeals and laughter as he devises new games to play his dog. Even the mischief they get into has been rewarding, as I can almost see the neurons forming as he plans new and more devious ways to get around locks and closed doors, all the while Norah patiently standing behind him; awaiting the spoils of their working together."
ReplyDeleteThat put a huge smile on my face! Our little Loup and Garou are awesome!
He he, thanks Curtis! Having such a companion will be so beneficial to his learning co-operation and understanding!
ReplyDelete